Page 54 of Sweet Violence
He raised an eyebrow, which was rude. Sure, I was in denial but he didn't have to call me out on it. "If this will help you sleep better, I won't forbid you from doing it."
"You couldn'tforbid meeven if you wanted to," I muttered. He wasn't my parent; I didn't need his signature on a permission slip.
"But I won't rest easy until you're returned to me.And," he said, blue eyes narrowing, "I refuse to let you go alone. Whether it's one of our circle or a member of the devil's guard—youwillbe accompanied."
"Again with the letting," I growled, sliding my hand around his side, down his back, and pinching his butt hard.
Arkan jumped and growled.
"You don'tletme do a damn thing; I do whatever I choose and even if you don't like it, you lump it."
"Creative use of the English language," he remarked quietly. "I like it. I like the pinching considerably less."
"Would you like me bossingyouaround and telling you what to do?" I demanded, vaguely aware I was taking all my emotions out on him. Again. "Just because you've got a daddy dom vibe going on doesn't mean you can dictate my life."
Arkan's expression went flat. "Apologies for trying to keep you alive."
I growled a sigh, dragging a hand down my face. "I'm not used to…" I flapped a hand aggressively. "This."
When Arkan was silent, puzzling my meaning, I spat out, "Having someone care when I do crazy, murdery stuff. I only ever had Dad, and he was usually the one encouraging me. When you tell menotto do dangerous shit, it feels backwards. And it rubs me the wrong way."
"The day I stop caring is the day I die," Arkan vowed in a hiss.
"Don't be dramatic," I laughed.
"Iamdramatic."
"I've noticed."
I crooked a finger, and he came close enough for me to reach up, clasp the back of his head, and kiss him.
"I'll take a guard with me," I offered. I could lose them along the way easily enough. And who knew, maybe they'd be useful to have along?
"Thank you, princess," Arkan murmured, kissing me fiercely as a reward, trying to make me submit. Welp, that wouldn't work. He should have learned better by now. I caught his bottom lip between my teeth hard enough to make it throb even if I didn't draw blood.
"Don't say I never compromise," I said, drawing back with a smirk.
Arkan kissed the spot between my brows, lingering. "As long as you're safe, that's all I need."
"Sweet talker," I muttered accusingly.
He grinned, so sudden and bright that my heart skipped. What the hell? Had he always been this good looking?
"Attractive bastard," I huffed, dragging him back for another kiss "Now let me go; I need to find Dev and prepare for this trip. Apparently it has special requirements."
"You're the one holding onto me," Arkan remarked, blue eyes sparkling.
Ah, shit, he was right.
I let go, smoothed my palms down his shirt, and then really,trulylet go.
When Arkan moved away, heading around the table for his book, I said, "Arkan."
He lifted his pale head, meeting my gaze.
"Sorry for arguing when I got back from the caves. You didn't do anything wrong; I shouldn't have taken everything out on you."
"Thank you for the apology, princess," he replied, lips slightly curving on the edges. If he smiled fully again, I would legitimately swoon. "I know you rarely apologise, so it means a lot."
